In addition to financial help for basic needs, social assistance programs help residents prepare for, find and keep a job. The province has two social assistance programs: Ontario Works, and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Ontario Works is administered by Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities at the Regional Municipality of Niagara and is available to eligible residents.
To be eligible for Ontario Works, you must:
You may apply for social assistance through the Ontario Works program by calling our Intake Line at 905-641-9230 or 1-866-627-1110 if calling from West Niagara.
Through the Ontario Works program, we can work with you to help you become job-ready by:
We offer a range of employment-focused services:
The Ontario Disability Support Program provides employment help for individuals with disabilities and is delivered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, not by Niagara Region.